This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what

changes have been made to the previous version. Because

it may not be technically possible to adequetely depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.

An American National Standard

Designation: A 2 – 90 (Reapproved 1997) 2 – 02

Standard Specification for

Carbon Steel Girder Rails of Plain, Grooved, and Guard Types1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 2; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A-1 A01 on Steel, Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.01 on Steel Rails and Accessories.
Current edition approved Aug. 31, 1990. November 10, 2002. Published October 1990. December 2002. Originally published as A 2 – 12. approved in 1912. Last previous
edition A 2 – 80. approved in 1990 as A 31 – 90 (1997).

1. Scope *
1.1 This specification covers carbon steel girder rails2 of three classes based on type or type and weight, and chemistry defined
as follows and in Table 1:
1.1.1 Unless otherwise specified by the purchaser, girder-guard rails shall be Class A.
1.1.2 Plain and grooved-girder rails under 135 lb/yd (67.1 kg/m) in weight shall be specified by the purchaser as either Class
A or Class B.
1.1.3 Plain and grooved-girder rails of 135 lb/yd in weight and heavier shall be Class C, unless otherwise specified.
1.2 The values states in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 U.S. MilitaryASTM Standards:
MIL-STD-129 Marking
A 700 Practices for Shipment Packaging, Marking, and Storage Loading Methods for Steel Products for Domestic Shipments
3

MIL-STD-163 Steel Mill Products, Preparation

E 10 Test Method for Shipment and Storage3
2.2 U.S. Federal Standard:
Federal Standard No. 123 Marking for Shipments (Civil Agencies)3 Brinell hardness of Metallic Materials4
3. Classification of Rails
3.1 No. 1 Rails—Rails that are free of injurious imperfections and flaws of all kinds.
3.2 No. 2 Rails—Rails that contain surface imperfections in such number or of such character that shall not, in the judgment
of the inspector, render them unfit for recognized uses.
4. Ordering Information
4.1 Orders for girder rails under this specification shall include the following information as appropriate:
4.1.1 ASTM designation and date of issue,
4.1.2 Quantity (tons or pieces as appropriate),
4.1.3 Complete identification of section with dimensional drawing if required,
4.1.4 Arrangement of bolt holes, bond holes, and tie rod holes with dimensional drawings, if required,
4.1.5 Class (in accordance with 1.1 and Table 1), and
4.1.6 Certification and Test Report (see 12.1).

2
Design details for carbon steel girder rails are indicated in the girder rail catalogs of individual manufacturers.
3
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.05.
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 A 2 – 90 (1997) 2 – 02
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements, %
Class A Class B Class C
Carbon 0.60–0.75 0.70–0.85 0.75–0.90
Manganese 0.60–0.90 0.60–0.90 0.60–0.90
Phosphorus, max 0.04 0.04 0.04
Silicon 0.10–0.40 0.10–0.40 0.10–0.40

5. Manufacture
5.1 Melting Practice—The steel shall be made by any of the following processes: open-hearth, basic-oxygen, or electric-
furnace.
5.1.1 The steel may be cast by a continuous process, or in ingots.
5.2 Discard—Sufficient discard shall be made to secure freedom from injurious segregation and piping.

6. Chemical Composition
6.1 Heat or Cast Analysis—An analysis for each heat or cast of steel shall be made by the manufacturer to determine the
percentage of the elements specified in Table 1. The analysis shall be made from a test sample representing the heat or cast and
shall conform to the requirements in Table 1.
6.2 Upon request by the purchaser, similar samples shall be provided to verify the heat or cast analysis as determined in 6.1.
6.3 Product Analysis—When ladle tests are not available, finished material representing the heat may be product tested. The
product analysis allowance beyond the limits of the specified ladle analysis shall be within the limits for product analyses specified
in Table 2.

7. Physical Properties (Impression Test) Hardness Properties

7.1 Test Specimens:
7.1.1 Three representative sections of rail from each heat shall be selected as test specimens.
7.1.2 Excess scale and decarburization shall be removed from the test area of the head or web of the selected specimens.
7.2 Procedure:
7.2.1 Subject the head of each
7.2.1 1 The test specimen to a pressure of 100 000 lb (45 359 kg) for a period of 15 s, applied through a hardened steel ball
0.75 in. (19.05 mm) in diameter.
7.2.2 Test Balls—The steel test ball shall have a minimum Brinell hardness of 600 and be able to withstand surface attack with
an American Swiss Pillar File No. 2.
7.2.3 Permissible Variation conducted in accordance with Test Balls—The test ball diameter shall be within a variation of
60.002 in. (0.051 mm) from the standard size, and the permanent deformation under the required loading shall not be greater than
0.003 in. (0.076 mm). Method E 10.
7.3 Requirements—The average depth of the impressions obtained on the head of the three specimens shall not be more than
0.1496 in. (3.8 mm) for Class:
7.3.1 Class A rails, 0.1378 in. (3.5 mm) for Class rail shall have a Brinell hardness of 248 to 293, and Classes B rails, and 0.1338
in. (3.4 mm) for Class C rails. shall have hardnesses of 269 to 321.
7.4 Retests—If the average depth of the impressions obtained on the head of the three specimens from any heat fails to conform
to the requirements specified in 7.3, the manufacturer may at his option retest the specimens, or each rail from that heat, by making
an impression test on the web, as described in 7.2.1 for head testing. heat. Rails represented by retests which conform to the
requirements of 7.3 shall be accepted.

8. Permissible Variations of Dimension, Weight, and Other Physical Attributes

8.1 Section:
8.1.1 The section of the rail shall conform to the design specified by the purchaser.
8.1.2 A variation of 1⁄64 in. (0.4 mm) less or 1⁄32in. (0.8 mm) greater than the specified height will be permitted.

TABLE 2 Product Analysis—Allowance Beyond Limits of

Specified Chemical Analysis
Allowance Under Minumum Allowance Over Maximum
Limit, % Limit, %
Carbon 0.04 0.04
Manganese 0.06 0.06
Phosphorus ... 0.008
Silicon 0.02 0.02A
A
Continuously cast allowances shall be 0.05 % over maximum for silicon.

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 A 2 – 90 (1997) 2 – 02
8.1.3 A variation of 1⁄8 in. (3.2 mm) from the specified overall width of the head and tram will be permitted, but any variation
that would affect the gage line more than 1⁄32 in. (0.8 mm) will not be permitted.
8.1.4 The overall width of the base shall not vary under that specified more than 1⁄8 in. (3.2 mm) for widths less than 61⁄2in. (165
mm), 3⁄16 in. (4.8 mm) for a width of 61⁄2 in., and 1⁄4 in. (6.35 mm) for a width of 7 in. (178 mm).
8.1.5 No variation will be permitted in dimensions affecting the fit of the joint bars, except that the fishing template approved
by the purchaser may stand out laterally not more than 3⁄32 in. (2.4 mm).
8.1.6 The base of the rail shall be at right angles to the web, and the convexity shall not exceed 1⁄32 in. (0.8 mm).
8.1.7 When necessary, because of the type of track construction, and notice to that effect has been given to the manufacturer,
the position of the gage line with respect to the outer edge of the base shall not vary more than 3⁄64 in. (1.2 mm).
8.2 Weight—The weight of the rails per yard as calculated, shall be maintained as nearly as possible after conforming to the
requirements specified in 8.1.
8.3 Length:
8.3.1 Unless otherwise specified, the standard length of rail shall be 39 ft (11.9 m) where measured at a temperature of 60°F
(15°C).
8.3.2 All standard 39-ft lengths may be specified; or
8.3.3 Standard 39-ft lengths with up to 11 % of the entire order in lengths shorter than standard, varying by 1 ft (0.3 m) from
38 to 24 ft (11.6 to 7.3 m) may be specified; or
8.3.4 Length variations other than those described in 8.3.3 may be established by agreement between the purchaser and
manufacturer.
8.3.5 A variation of 7⁄16 in. (11 mm) from the specified length of individual rails will be permitted.
8.4 End Finish:
8.4.1 Rails shall be milled, abrasive wheel cut, or ground to length, with a variation in end squareness of not more than 1⁄32 in.
(0.8 mm) allowed.
8.4.2 Harmful burrs on the ends shall be removed.
8.5 Drilling:
8.5.1 Circular holes for joint bar bolts, bonds, and tie rods shall be drilled to conform to the drawings and dimensions furnished
by the purchaser and within the following permissible variations:
8.5.2 The diameter of bolt holes shall not vary more than 1⁄16 in. (1.6 mm) over and 0 in. under that specified. The diameter of
bond holes shall not be over the size specified, but may be 1⁄32in. (0.8 mm) under. The diameter of the tie rod holes shall not be
less than that specified but may be 1⁄16in. (1.6 mm) over.
8.5.3 The location of bolt and bond holes shall not vary more than 1⁄16 in. (1.6 mm), either longitudinally or vertically from that
specified. The location of the tie rod holes shall not vary more than 1⁄4in. (6.35 mm) vertically and not more than 1⁄2 in. (12.7 mm)
longitudinally from that specified.
8.5.4 Bond holes shall be truly cylindrical and not conical.
8.5.5 Harmful fins and burrs at the edges of holes shall be removed.
8.6 Punching—Unless otherwise specified by the purchaser, the tie rod holes in Class A rails may be punched, and, when so
made, they shall be free of burrs, fins, etc. Punched tie rod holes shall not be less in diameter than specified, but may be not more
than 1⁄8 in. (3.2 mm) over size.
9. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
9.1 Rails shall be straightened cold in a press or roller machine to remove twists, waves, and kinks.
9.2 Deviations in the vertical and horizontal alignment throughout the length of the rail shall be uniform. Sharp deviations in
either direction shall not be acceptable.
9.3 Straightness shall be assessed by visual inspection.
10. Inspection
10.1 The manufacturer shall afford the purchaser’s inspector all reasonable facilities necessary to satisfy him that the material
is being produced and furnished in accordance with this specification. Mill inspection by the purchaser shall not interfere
unnecessarily with the manufacturer’s operations. All tests and inspections shall be made at the place of manufacture, unless
otherwise agreed to.
11. Rejection and Rehearing
11.1 Material that fails to conform to the requirements of this specification may be rejected. Rejections shall be reported to the
manufacturer or supplier promptly and in writing. In case of dissatisfaction with the test results, the manufacturer or supplier may
make claim for a rehearing.
12. Certification
12.1 When specified in the purchase order or contract, a manufacturer’s certification shall be furnished to the purchaser that the
material was produced and tested in accordance with this specification and has been found to meet the requirements.

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 A 2 – 90 (1997) 2 – 02
12.2 When specified in the purchase order or contract, a report of the chemical and mechanical test results shall be furnished.
12.3 A Material Test Report, Certificate of Inspection, or similar document printed from or used in electronic form from and
electronic data interchange (EDI) transmission shall be regarded as having the same validity as a counterpart printed in the
certifier’s facility. The content of the EDI transmitted document must meet the requirements of the invoked ASTM standard(s) and
conform to any existing EDI agreement between the purchaser and the supplier.
12.4 Notwithstanding the absence of a signature, the organization submitting either a printed document (Material Test Report,
Certificate of Inspection or similar document) or and EDI transmission is responsible for the content of the report.
13. Acceptance
13.1 In order to be accepted, the rails offered shall fulfill all the requirements of this specification.
13.2 No. 2 rails to the extent of 10 % of the whole order will be accepted.
14. Product Marking
14.1 Branding and Stamping:
14.1.1 The name or brand of the manufacturer, the year and month of manufacture, the weight of the rail, and the section
number, shall be legibly rolled in raised letters and figures on the web.
14.1.2 The heat number shall be legibly stamped on each rail where it will not be covered subsequently by the joint bars.
14.2 Paint Marking:
14.2.1 No. 2 rails shall be paint-marked white.
14.2.2 No. 1 rails less than 39 ft (11.9 m) long shall be paint-marked green.
14.2.3 Paint-marking shall be located on the top of the head at one end only, at least 3 ft (0.9 m) from the end.
14.3 Bar Coding:
14.3.1 The automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) Bar Code Standard for Primary Metals for Steel Products may be
considered as a possible auxiliary method of identification. Use of this method shall be by agreement between purchaser and
supplier.
15. Loading
15.1 Rails shall be handled carefully to avoid damage.
15.2 Rails shall be placed together according to class in loading.
15.3 Rails shall be paired as to length before shipment.
16. U.S. Government Procurement
16.1 When specified in the contract or purchase order, material shall be preserved, packaged prepared for shipment and
packaged storage in accordance with the requirements of MIL-STD-163. The applicable levels shall be as specified in the contract
or order. Marking for shipment of such material shall be in accordance with Fed. Std. No. 123 for civil agencies and MIL-STD-129
for military agencies. Practices A 700.
17. Keywords
17.1 girder rails; rails; railway applications; steel rails

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

(1) Military standard references deleted in Section 2.

(2) Edited footnotes on page 1.
(3) Changed hardness spec. to an ASTM specification in Section 7.
(4) Added EDI language in Section 12.
(5) Added bar coding language in Section 14.
(6) Deleted reference to military standard deleted in Section 16.

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make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.

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 A 2 – 90 (1997) 2 – 02

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